







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| It says best before 25th of February. | |
| I wear some of them, can I check them when I get back? | |
| I guess he wants to drink some water. | |
| Hello, I'm sorry I'm a bit late. | |
| You can ask whatever you want to know. | |
| I wake up and make my bed, then tidy my room. | |
| How is there four of us? | |
| But it has expired and it has a hole in it. | |
| Anyway, the flight situation is a bit complicated. | |
| I searched: does Pinocchio know he is not a real boy. | |
| Um, on this floor, it's only me and a French girl next door. | |
| What kind of music do you like the most? | |
| How much are they supposed to pay? | |
| What's your favourite movie? | |
| Okay, if you say so, I trust you! | |
| I mean, do you cook Asian or other kinds of cuisines? | |
| I'm so sorry, but we need to cancel our meeting today. | |
| Are you sure she is from Australia? | |
| Are you close friends? | |
| This is the last one and, unfortunately, it has a hole in it. | |